18 July 2023: GOGLA is presenting its Handbook for Governments and Development Partners, Powering Lives and Livelihoods: Scaling Productive Uses of Renewable Energy (PURE) today at an event in Kampala, where together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) of Uganda, the Uganda Solar Energy Association, CREEC, and sector partners, GOGLA will also launch the Uganda Productive Use of Solar Energy Roadmap.

PURE products and services, such as solar-powered irrigation, cooling, agricultural equipment, e-mobility and e-cooking can modernise agriculture, power health facilities, drive green growth and create millions of jobs. They are particularly designed to reach people who are currently hampered by energy poverty, many of whom are extremely vulnerable to climate change. The Handbook is a first-of-its-kind document which details the building blocks needed to develop mature and sustainable PURE markets and proposes specific actions for governments and development partners to accelerate the impact of PURE.

Establishing the building blocks needed to accelerate PURE

With over 70 publications reviewed, 50 interviews with key stakeholders and the collaboration of organizations working within the PURE industry [Efficiency for Access coalition, World Bank / ESMAP and EnDev (SNV)], the Handbook highlights the most impactful actions to advance renewable energy technologies that can generate or increase income for their users:

• Supportive policies and regulations that integrate PURE into national electrification plans, drive stakeholder engagement, catalyze partnerships, and establish quality standards;
• Tailored public and private funding and investment that can support companies’ growth and provide appropriate consumer financing;
• Targeted activities to expand technology adoption, raising awareness and aggregating purchasing power or improving income to address the affordability barrier;
• Capacity building like mentoring and technical assistance for PURE companies to improve business performance;
• Critical elements to build sustainable markets and a responsible industry such as inclusivity and customer protection.

The Handbook has been developed by GOGLA, the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry, with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), through the international initiative Water and Energy for Food (WE4F).

Enhancing productive use of renewable energy, country by country

The Uganda Roadmap formally adopted and presented today in Kampala by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Ms Irene Bateebe, on behalf of the Ugandan Government, will set the path for accelerating the adoption of PURE in the country. It lays out clear actions designed to drive the mechanization of agriculture, enhance enterprise and unlock green jobs. The Government’s endorsement and ownership of the Roadmap exemplifies the high level of political support for PURE, and recognises its potential to rapidly advance green growth and opportunity.

Roadmaps will also be adopted or explored throughout July by the Governments of Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda.

"We have partnered with GOGLA and Water and Energy For Food, to develop this Roadmap that will contribute to our goal of access to clean energy, higher food security, powering small enterprises, and boosting income among hard-to-reach populations. Dr. Brian E. Isabirye, Commissioner- Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda."

"The PURE Handbook is a testament to the collective effort of experts, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who have contributed their knowledge and insights to this publication. It is my sincere hope that this handbook will inspire and inform governments, development partners, and all stakeholders involved in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. Dirk Pauschert, Head of Project, GIZ Water and Energy for Food (WE4F)."

"We think scaling up the deployment of PURE is critical for achieving energy, food, and water security, driving economic development, improving health services and adapting to climate change and we call upon public sector institutions and agencies responsible for energy, agriculture, water, health and environment across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and the development partners engaged in supporting them, to recognize the relevance of the off-grid solar industry to realizing their goals. Patrick K. Tonui, Head of Policy and Regional Strategy, GOGLA."

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About GOGLA: GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. We are proud to champion one of the world’s most innovative and impactful sectors. Hundreds of millions of people already benefit from affordable, high-quality, clean off-grid solar products and services.

With the right support, our pioneering industry will be able to scale up rapidly to improve the lives of 1 billion people by 2030. To help make this happen, we promote, safeguard, and convene the industry, advocating for enabling policies and increased investment as well as supporting our 200+ members with effective services. For more information, visit: www.gogla.org.

About WE4F: Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) a joint international initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Netherlands, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

WE4F, through its Regional Innovation Hubs, provides financial support, technical assistance, and investment facilitation to water-food, energy-food, and water-energy-food innovations.

The supported innovations impact smallholder farmers, helping them unlock missing inputs, finance, technology, and markets. By using these innovations, farmers and food companies can enhance their climate resilience and reduce CO2 emissions.

About CREEC: CREEC’s story started in 2001 as a project part of the Makerere University Faculty of Engineering. 20 years later, the Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC) is still pioneering a greener future for renewable energies in Uganda. The centre is currently registered as a not-for-profit organization providing methodological, technical and well-researched approaches for renewable energy interventions. As an advisory body and agent for change, for the past twenty years CREEC has delivered, advocated, and lobbied for her vision to enhance access to modern energies across East Africa. CREEC has continued in their efforts to deliver this mission, by partnering with government organizations, donors, private sector players, individuals and academia representatives, to provide innovative programmes and develop technical expertise through capacity-building activities that foster knowledge sharing and business support for renewable energy businesses. The center is also recognized by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) in accordance with the ISO 17025 quality management system.

About USEA: Uganda Solar Energy Association (USEA) is an independent non-profit association dedicated to facilitating the growth and development of solar energy business in Uganda and the East Africa region.

USEA was formed in 2016 by private sector companies that deal in solar energy business with help from the Ministry of Energy and Rural Electrification Agency. It is registered under section 10 of the Ugandan Societies Act.